This is a case in point that sports aren't always a zero-sum game; sometimes, like with Ali and Frasier, the two competitors elevate each other such that even the loser is remembered as having the heart of a champion. In the case of Mahut and Isner, the match was historic not because they both possessed an incredible will to win, but because neither had the willingness to finish the fucking match. I watched some of this thing, and in terms of quality, it was the tennis equivalent of buffet food. It seemed like neither of them was trying, at all, when the other was serving.
But then again, can you blame them? They had every perverse incentive to drag this thing on hour after hour; neither of these guys is a real contender at Wimbledon- Isner had only won one match on grass prior to this - but now, by refusing to win, they'll be remembered by the record books as having legendary grit and determination. The record will only be broken by the chance meeting of two guys with an even greater willingness to debase the sport. This match was incredible in the same sense as those Guinness entries for "Most Hours Spent Square Dancing", only those square dancers probably went about ten days on their feet. Mahut and Isner have been rewarded for dicking around on the lawn for 11 hours, with numerous breaks for water, and they actually twice went home to sleep.
Of course, ESPN is broadcasting Wimbledon, so no one on that network questioned whether the whole thing was a sham.
Your proudest moment was your lack of shame.
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